Full-Time Fighter: Sean Salmon discusses NAAFS title win

I cannot tell you all how great it feels to be competing again! It was a long, hard 10 months fighting with the California State Athletic Commission, and I will be detailing all of that in the next column. (That will be the first column that I actually think out and proofread.) I really want everyone to get a sense of what I went through and what I had to deal with leading up to this return.

For this column, I want to focus on my most recent fight, which took place at the Sept. 19 NAAFS (www.naafs.tv) event middleweight belt.

I feel obligated to say that I believe that the 10 months off will prove to be a blessing. It forced me to re-evaluate my career and focus on some of the holes in my game.

The first thing I decided I needed to change was taking every fight offered to me. Doing 19 fights in the first 24 months of your career might not be the way to go. I came from a wrestling background in which I was always taught that the more you compete, the better you are going to get. I made the mistake of believing that MMA is similar to wrestling. Wrestling is a great base to have for MMA. However, they are two completely different sports. I now realize that it is OK to turn down fights if they don’t make sense, don’t give you enough time to train, or if you’re just not ready for them.

My next major adjustment was seeking out real coaching. Until 10 months ago, I never had real coaching. I was working with a small group of guys in Columbus that were also just getting started in MMA. We would pick things up here and there and coach each other. Obviously, it was not the best decision I had ever made.

Now, we have a new beginning. The best thing about combat sports is that you can always reinvent yourself. That being said, I have no regrets about the first three years of my career. I have learned a lot, collected some great memories, and have been living my life exactly how I want too. It just takes some guys longer to figure things out, get the necessary coaching, the right situation, the right agent or perhaps just the right attitude.

I feel that I now have those things training with the Relson Gracie school in Westerville, Ohio. I have Jason Culbranson overseeing my stand-up, Robin Geisler taking care of my jiu-jitsu, and my most consistent training partners Marc Cofer and Brandon Willis. They have made me a 100-percent new fighter in the past 10 months, and I believe that they have not even scratched the surface. I believe that my time is coming.

Now, onto my latest fight. I found out about three months ago that I would be getting off of the CSAC suspended list. There was only one organization that I wanted to return with, the NAAFS. I said in my last column that Greg Kalikas and his crew do a great job. I never have to wonder if I am going to get everything that my contract says, and NAAFS events also air on Sports Time Ohio. Kalikas is one of the only “regional” promoters from whom I will accept a check — because I know that it is good. (Thank you Greg!)

So, I came into my fight vs. Mitch Whitesel for the NAAFS middleweight title very well prepared and anxious to fight. I didn’t have the nervousness that I thought I would after such a long layoff. I was just anxious to compete against someone I didn’t know.

In fact, I believe the only affect the layoff had on me was that I really messed up my warm-up. I like to be on my second wind by the time I get to the cage, but I didn’t get it. (It’s just something to correct for next time.)

The fight did not go how I expected. I considered Mitch a decent fighter, but I believed that the way we matched up would make for a quick fight in my favor. He came out much better prepared than I expected. His footwork, striking and skills off his back were all much improved than from than what I saw on the tapes I got of his past fights. He was also stronger than I anticipated, but I ended up winning by TKO in the third round via ground and pound.

In hindsight, I am glad that the fight went into the third round because I can think of several things off the top of my head that I would do differently, and I know when I watch the tape I will see even more. Honestly, it’s just great to feel like myself again.

Up next, I will be fighting for my father-in-law’s promotion, Ultimate Victory Challenge (www.ultimatevictory.org), on Oct. 18 in Chillicothe, Ohio. I was also going to have a rematch fight with Mikko Rupponen in Helsinki, Finland on Nov. 26. Rupponen is one of the country’s top fighters, and he owns a 16-5-2 record against tough competition. I beat him via first-round TKO (due to cuts) at last year’s Fight Festival 22 event, and I was looking forward to a trip back to Finland for the rematch. However, the organization informed me last week that Mikko blew out his knee. We are still hoping to fight on that card, but I don’t yet have an opponent. (Best wishes for a full recovery, Mikko!)

If you read my columns (or any fighters’ blogs on MMAjunkie.com), you know that us fighters have our “thank yous” that we need to dish out. So, I need to thank the Junkie (as always). When he first approached me, he wanted someone to write about the ups and downs of an MMA career. I’ve had both, and it’s been great to count on the support from the readers when I need it most. Additionally, this website has had my back since Day One. I am a Junkie for life!

TFSupplements.com (www.tfsupplements.com) jumped on board with me, and they have by far the cheapest name brand supplements with the fastest shipping. (Seriously, you guys know I wouldn’t steer you wrong.) Check them out (and thanks Shawn). You know I can’t forget TapouT (www.tapout.com). I was in Huntington Beach, Calif., a couple weeks ago and made the quick trip up to the TapouT world headquarters, where Damon took really good care of me with anything and everything I needed.

Look for my next column soon, detailing my crazy ride with the CSAC. You will not want to miss that one.

Sean Salmon (15-5 MMA) is an MMAjunkie.com columnist who occasionally pens his Full-Time Fighter column for the site. The column is designed to give readers a behind-the-scenes look at a professional fighter’s career and the ups and downs of the profession. If you have a question for Salmon, leave it in the comments section of the post. He answers all respectful queries.

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